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3 simple ways to improve a kitchen

ASSOCIATED PRESS
Published 12:05 a.m. ET Jan. 8, 2015

Calacatta Marble was used for countertops and backsplash, and Shaker-style cabinetry for perimeter cabinets and island.(Photo: Burnham Design)

Another holiday season has passed, and with it the marathon cooking and baking sessions. The hours spent using every inch of counter space had a potential benefit more lasting than a good meal: When we really use our kitchens, we discover what does and doesn’t work in this room.

Remodeling a kitchen can be expensive and challenging, but you can make substantial cosmetic changes with just the help of a painter and electrician, says interior designer Betsy Burnham of Burnham Design in Los Angeles.

Step one is deciding what really needs to be done. Can you work with the appliances and cabinets you’ve got, or is it time for a full-scale remodel?

Step two is the budget, coming up with a realistic estimate for each expense, says designer Brian Patrick Flynn of Flynnside Out Productions.

Then, the fun can begin. Three areas where a little improvement can go a long way:

STORAGE

A smoothly functioning kitchen has space for everything to be stored away, within reasonable reach. Can you achieve that with your current cabinets? If so, Flynn suggests keeping them and just replacing or refinishing the doors. “Cabinetry installation adds a lot to a budget,” he says, “so saving by simply reusing what you’ve got can be a massive help.”

If your cabinet doors are stained wood, consider painting them. Then, change the hardware. Drawer pulls and cabinet door handles “can make or break the look of the space,” says Lee Kleinhelter of the Atlanta-based design firm Pieces. Take time choosing new ones.

Flynn agrees: “I always use high-end hardware regardless of how high or low my budget is,” he says. “Adding an interesting metal and finish to your doors just really adds character and uniqueness.”

If you do need to add or replace cabinets, Burnham suggests having them custom-made. It can be expensive (Flynn estimates that ready-made cabinets cost about one-third as much as lower-end custom designs). But they are worth the investment, Burnham says. “You’ll get well-made pieces, built to your needs, that will last through time, kids and tons of use.”

Rather than adding cabinets with doors, she suggests installing drawers. “Deep drawers provide excellent storage for pots and pans, and even oversize plates,” Burnham says, “and banks of drawers just look cool.”

FRESH COLORS AND MATERIALS

Painting kitchen walls can be “a quick, inexpensive solution to a kitchen remodel on a low budget,” Kleinhelter says, and “any color can work.” But she advises clients that kitchen decor “should work with the rest of the house.” Bring in colors that appear in nearby rooms, or stick to a neutral palette.

If you’re updating a kitchen’s look, Burnham says “there’s been a shift from the once-ubiquitous all-white kitchen toward gray-painted cabinets, and we’ve found ourselves experimenting with color.”

Homeowners are also getting more creative and saving money with materials like concrete. Concrete tile is “an inexpensive material that comes in an incredible array of colors and patterns,” Burnham says, and “it works for backsplashes or kitchen flooring, and really makes a statement.”

Try mixing affordable elements with higher-end ones: “Basic butcher block is my favorite countertop because of its classic appeal, and it’s insanely affordable. By juxtaposing it with a unique backsplash, like a mosaic marble or rustic stone, it looks more high-end,” Flynn says. “My biggest splurge on kitchens is usually my lighting and backsplashes.”

And choose colors and materials you’ll be happy with long-term, rather than something trendy.

SEATING

A new table and chairs can update a kitchen’s look and make it more comfortable. But it’s tempting to sacrifice function for style. Don’t.

“We all live in our kitchens,” says Kleinhelter, “so it is important to have comfortable and durable seating.”

Stools are popular, and Burnham says designers in her office love the clean look of a row of stools along a bar or island. “We find most clients like seats with backs and arms.”

Also, choose seating that’s easy to clean and durable. “I love to use vinyls or faux leathers,” says Kleinhelter, “because it is so easy to clean, but still looks polished.”

Whether you’re buying a table and chairs or planning a full kitchen remodel, Flynn offers one last piece of advice: Take time to choose the things you really want, and be patient if the project takes longer than you’d hoped. What matters is the final result.